With Del Rio Extended, Is Garrard Next?

Jacksonville Jaguars HC Jack Del Rio was given a raise and 5 year contract extension this week. His signing comes after beginning last season on the coaches’ cutting board, but Del Rio made some moves and regained support in Jacksonville. Del Rio’s moves, most notably cutting former QB Bryan Leftwich and keeping David Garrard, paid off as Jacksonville made it to the playoffs, surpassed the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card game, but then lost to the streaking New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Playoff bout.

Besides the amazing run game and nasty lines in the trenches, QB David Garrard’s excellence led the Jaguars to an amazing 11-5 record. 11-5 in the NFL’s most compeitive division of 2007 is enough for Jags owner Wayne Weaver to start thinking about a long-term extension for Garrard.

“I think you can expect something on the quarterback,” Weaver said. “We hope it’ll be sooner than later. We think the world of David. He’s the guy that we believe can lead us and bring that world championship here to Jacksonville, so hopefully we’ll get that done sooner than later.”

Speculation arises to what kind of deal Garrard will receive from the Jags. Some believe it could match Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo’s extension from back in October of 2007. Romo extended his contract for a huge six years, $67.5 million. Now, are the Jags willing to fork that money up for Garrard? Garrard would hope, I mean he did win the Jags a playoff game in the AFC while Tony Romo has had trouble winning a playoff game in the NFC.